Three people were killed in clashes between government followers and opposition supporters in eastern Lebanon overnight, security sources and witnesses said. Four people were wounded in the violence, which reached its peak at dawn in the Saadnayel-Taalbaya villages in the eastern Bekaa valley.

According to Reuters, houses and shops were also destroyed in the clashes in which heavy guns and rocket propelled grenades were used. Witnesses said the Lebanese army had deployed in the area.

Al Mustaqbal daily said fighting erupted after a quarrel broke out between Hizbullah and AMAL fighters from one hand and Lebanese troops on the other. According to Naharnet, it said Hizbullah and AMAL fighters opened fire on Taalbaya and Saadnayel, engaging the "population in the clashes in an attempt to cover up their fight with the army."

Among the victims was a school teacher identified as Samira Mahmoud Shukr who died by gunfire as she stood on the balcony of her apartment. The other casualties included a man and his son whose car came under gunfire.